Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo. Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

Giannis Antetokounmpo's immediate future remains with Bucks

By Adam Taylor | Last updated Nov 7, 2024 3:25 PM ET

Many questions have been asked of the Milwaukee Bucks following their 2-6 start to the season. Doc Rivers' team is already being written off by the media, with many believing their sluggish start indicates a franchise that needs a reset.

Giannis Antetokounmpo, 29, is firmly in his prime years. His presence on the Bucks' roster ensures they can never be taken too lightly. Furthermore, it ensures the front office will remain bullish on the team's chances of success until it becomes abundantly clear that something needs to change.

According to ESPN's Bobby Marks, Giannis' future remains in Milwaukee despite the team's slow start, which was due to a lack of tradeable assets.

“Anytime a team like that is struggling, there’s certainly going to be questions about the future of Giannis,” Marks said on NBA Today. “He is not looking to be moved. Milwaukee is not looking to move him...They’re looking to try to figure out what went wrong with this roster to start the season."

No matter how bad things get for the Bucks, trading Giannis will always be the last resort. He's a homegrown superstar, having been with the team since being drafted in 2013. He helped bring a championship to the franchise.

Still, everything has its limits. If the Bucks continue to lose at their current pace and no season-saving trade materializes, Giannis' future must come into question. He was one of the driving forces behind the front office's trading for Damian Lillard, ultimately costing the team Jrue Holiday. As such, he must shoulder some blame for the franchise's free fall since that deal.

Sooner or later, Milwaukee will reach an inflection point. Of course, their fanbase will hope it never comes to that. But if the current roster can be fixed via the trade market and doesn't show marked improvement in the coming months, Giannis' future must be open for discussion. Neither side has to like it, but they may have to accept it.

Adam Taylor

Adam Taylor is a sports journalist based out of the UK. Adam has been covering the NBA for nearly a decade with a core focus on the Boston Celtics. He currently holds bylines with Yardbarker, SB Nation and USA Today

More must-reads: